Part III: Antarctica and Academe - Scott Polar Research Institute

with a dusty band of Fids - they had been unloading concrete - by 6.30 pm, had a
shower, dinner and further talk until 11.30 pm.
During the night the moon was almost full, Coronation Island was clear and a
shaft from the moon silvered the water. But we woke to low 'mank' and a sprinkling
of recent snow. Eric and I spent all morning and early afternoon interviewing the
base Fids. We saw Julian Priddle, Peter Ward, Jon Brook, Richard Anthony, Gordon
Picken, Don McKay (builder), Colin Maiden (electrician). The general impression
was of no problems other than normal 'winteritis', now passed. There were few
criticisms or complaints, but a majority were dissatisfied with the bunkroom
standard and the noise levels. What was needed was some insulation between the
lounge and the bunkrooms, boarding in of the walls and provision of doors. A
problem arose over Biological assistants, who felt that they should not be required to
work for another base member. Friction had arisen between Anthony and Wynne-
Williams over this, because of conflicting duties. (I would take it up at Monks Wood
on my return).
After lunch on base I had another talk with Dave Fletcher and then saw Julian
Priddle again to talk about his work. It seemed to be going well and he and Dartnall
(Freshwater biologists) had compiled a very useful guide to the freshwater
vegetation and invertebrates - beautifully illustrated. His work on benthic algae and
epiphytes looked good and he was obviously hard-working and full of enthusiasm.
Herbert Dartnall showed me his large living rotifers, Philodina gregaria
(invertebrates). About 0.5mm long, they can be frozen and resuscitated on adding
water, cloned and cultures increase rapidly. They can be kept at room temperature
and, he suggested, might prove to be very useful experimental animals in drug or
pollution research. He hoped to set up cultures in the UK. He had developed a key
for the 37 rotifer species found on Signy Island. At 3 o’clock we went out to the ship
and from there by gemini to Gourlay, where we landed on the beach at Rethval Point
and walked across to SIRS (Signy Island Reference Sites) 1 and 2. Brian, Eric, Roy
and Wynne-Williams came. W-W showed us around the SIRS sites and we discussed
his programme which seemed to be going well. I was a bit concerned about the
intensity of coring and its impact on the moss banks; this may work out the site much
earlier than planned, but couldn't see that anything could be done about this.
We saw five fur seals and walked back via the penguin rookeries. There seemed
to be fewer there than before. On return a shear-pin broke in the outboard motor of
the second gemini party and they required an ignominious tow home. On return a
quick shower was taken and dinner, followed by a film "The Mercenaries" which was
rather bloodthirsty. Then I talked for almost two hours first with Herb Dartnall and
then with Gordon Picken about their work. Both were doing well and Dartnall
reckoned he would soon be a leading world expert on rotifers - its a small field!
Picken (Marine Biologist) had been studying gastropod ecology - 36 species - they are
very long-lived and slow maturing with a long breeding season. This was a
preliminary year for him, amassing material covering the full annual cycle, and next
year he would be looking at more specific problems. He confirmed the value to him
of the Signy Island Benthic Survey (SOBS) samples, which he said were very good.
(We had initiated this during my 170-71 visit).
So this visit to Signy, - my favourite island! - ended and we set course for Halley
Bay at 9 o’clock next day, 19 January, towing the magnetometer for marine
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